Chain construction



Feb. 23 1926. 1,573,927

L. E. FULFORD CHAIN CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 12, 1924 I attotncq wt nirsn LESTER EARL FULFOBD, OF EDGEVIOGD, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGIFGR TO FULFORD MFG. 00., F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A GOPJZDRATION 0F RHODE ISLAND.

(ll-IAIN GONSTEUCTIGN.

Application filed February 12, 182-1. Serial No. 692,288.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lnsrnn E. Funronn, a

. citizen of the United States, residing at llflgGWOOCl, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain Constructions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a chain construction comprising a series of gem-setting links, and the object of this invention is to form these links of sleet stock having top, end, and side walls with integral link connecting members.

.A further object of this invention is to provide gemsetting links, each formed of a single piece of metal, the opposite end walls of the link having eye and stud members. respectively, for connecting the links together.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top View showing a number oflinks of my improved chain connected together.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section and showing a number of links of my improved type.

Figure 3 shows a blank as cut from sheet stock ready to be folded up forming a gemsetting link.

Figure 4: is a View of the under side of one of the links after having been drawn up into box-shape.

. Figure 5 is a perspective View of one of the links and showing the setting prongs as raised from the stock of the front wall.

Figure 6 is a central sectional elevation showing the stud member as having a bifurcated end bent outwardly to retain the eye member of the next adjacent link also showing the inturned upper wall members as forming a resilient seat for the gem.

Figure 7 is a View of the under side of two of the links connected together.

It is found desirable in the construction of a chain of this character to so form the links that they may be made and connected together automatically and to form each of the gem-setting links from a single piece of sheet stock which is folded to form a body portion with top, side, and end walls, the setting prongs being cut and raised from the top wall and the stud and eye connecting members formed on the edges of the end walls by which these links may be automath rally and flexibly joined together; and the following is a detailed description of one means by which these advantageous results may be obtained.

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates the body of the link which is made of sheet stock and preferably blanked out into the form illustrated in Figure 3, and then bent up into cup-shape forming end walls 11 an d 12, side walls 13, and atop wall 1st. From the top wall 14 are cut the setting prongs 15, preferably four in number, thereby leaving inwardly and downwardly inturned seat members 16, which collectively provide a resilient or yieldable seat for the gem not shown) so as to compensate in a measure for gems of different depths when mounted therein.

On the lower edge of the end wall 11 is formed a tongue 17 which is turned outwardly at right angles to the plane of this end wall and is pierced as at 18, while the opposite wall 12 is provided with a split bifurcated stud 19 so that in assembling these links together it is only necessary to hook the pierced tongue or eye-member over the stud member of the next adjacent link and then spread the prongs of this stud member to securely lock the two together.

Then again. it is found of advantage in the construction of a link of this character to form the side walls 13 of sutlicient depth so their edges 20 may be turned inwardly to provide a round, extending, bearing surface for the link upon the arm of the wearer. Also the i nturned edges of these walls which are the last operation serve to engage the face of the nerit tongue 17 after it has been positioned on its stud and the stud split and spread to assist in looking this tongue on its stud. I,

By my improved construction of link the same may be formed very light in weight, of sheet stock, the links being formed and connected together all automatically thus reducing the cost of manufacture to the in inimu m.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the .mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

#1. A chain comprising a series of boxshaped links having a top wall, side and end walls bent downwardly therefrom, one of the end walls having a tongue with an opening therethrough andextending at right an gles thereto and the other of the end walls having a stud for interlocking with the tongue of the end wall of the adjacent link.

2. A chain comprising a series of boxshaped links having a top wall, side and end walls bent downwardly therefrom, one of the end walls having a tongue at the bottom edge thereof with an opening therethrough and extending at right angles thereto and the other of the end walls having astud interlocking with the tongue of the end wall of the adjacent link.

A chain comprising a series of boxshaped links having a top wall, side and end walls bent downwardly therefrom, one of the end walls having a tonguewith an opening therethrough and extending at right angles thereto and the other of the end walls having a bifurcated stud interlocking with the tongue of the end wall of the adjacent link.

4. A chain comprising a series of boxshaped links having a top wall, side and end walls bent downwardly therefrom, one of the end walls having a tongue with an opening therethrough and extending; at right angles thereto and the other of the end walls having a bifurcated stud passing through the opening in the tongue of the end wall of the adjacent link with the ends of the bifurcated portions bent outwardly and beyond the sides of the opening.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LESTER EARL FULFORD. 

